Confidently God’s Child

Imagine you’re in a superstore full of what the Bible calls “good works‗all the things you’ve been told you need to be as a Christian. “Kind”…”helpful”…”loving”…”always willing to bring potato salad to the church potluck.” You’ve been hearing how you need to be these things all your life—from your parents, teachers, pastors— so you decide it’s time to get on it. You’ve got some shopping to do.

First, the grocery section. The Christian life displays the fruit of the Spirit— patience, kindness, self-control, and all the rest. Easy peasy, they’re all right there—and since they’re always in season, they’re also on sale! You throw them in the cart. (Better toss some stuff to make potato salad in there too while you’re at it.)

Next, home improvement. A welcoming attitude and encouraging words to say. A loving heart that always responds with a soft, gentle answer (even in conversations with THAT family member). Oh, and a cute wooden plaque with a verse on it to hang inside your front door. Score!

Last stop—apparel. The Bible says to clothe ourselves with humility and compassion. And a pair of apostle-like strappy sandals adds a nice touch!

Your cart is overflowing with goodness, so it’s time to hit the checkout lane. You scan your items, and the payment amount flashes across the screen. You swipe your card. “Denied.”

You try your card again, but the payment won’t go through. You glance at the people in line behind you, then turn back to the screen. That’s when you see a sign in big red letters: “Only payment cards registered to Jesus Christ accepted.” You look down at your payment card, your face growing hot. It has your name on it. Not His.

An attendant appears out of nowhere and whisks your items from their bags. You look longingly at all that goodness as it’s piled onto a restocking cart. Then you try to avoid the stares boring into you as you walk to the door empty-handed. • Courtney Lasater

• Are you trying to be a “good Christian†all on your own? Are you more concerned about others seeing you as a Christian than actually having a relationship with Jesus?

• Read Isaiah 64:6 and Romans 3:12. Why is it impossible to do good in our own power?

• Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Galatians 2:16. Where does goodness come from?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

Read Verses:

John 1:9-14; Hebrews 4:14-16